The Pittsburgh Steelers announced some very scary news on Thursday as it was reported that star edge rusher TJ Watt had to be admitted to the hospital on Wednesday after some experiencing sort of out-of-nowhere lung issue. Those kinds of injuries very rarely have something to do with a play that occurred on a football field. It immediately caused concern for the fan base, and not necessarily because of his questionable status for Monday evening's contest against the Miami Dolphins. Lungs are not something to mess around with, and the overall health and wellbeing of the defender was at the top of everyone's mind when the news broke.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt stands on the field as he enjoys a veteran day off while the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Watt is a team captain and one of the most impactful players of his generation. Despite the fact that he is on the other side of 30, he continues to be a force that takes a lot of attention off of his teammates in game situations. The announcement of his hospital stay caught fans across the league off guard, and many speculated that a lung problem could be similar to something Tyrod Taylor experienced with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020.
The reason why Justin Herbert’s career started when it did is because Tyrod Taylor was receiving an injection, likely either cortisone or a nerve block, along the rib area in the performing party penetrated too far and ended up putting the needle into the lung, causing what we… https://t.co/royl0dFvNS pic.twitter.com/yNvMo2xzDa
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) December 11, 2025
If this did in fact happen to Watt, which has in no way been confirmed as of Thursday evening, there could be some serious legal challenges for the Steelers moving forward. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has been in contact with Watt's representation, which would signal that there is much more to the story than what everyone is currently aware of.
"The news out of Pittsburgh regarding linebacker T.J. Watt’s hospitalization with a lung issue has raised plenty of questions. At the appropriate time, the NFL Players Association may seek some answers< Florio wrote. "For now, the NFLPA has acknowledged that it is aware of the situation and has been in touch with Watt and his representation."
Whenever the NFLPA gets involved, there have to be some questions about what could have happened in any given situation. Taylor missed over a month with his lung injury suffered five years ago, and Steelers fans continue to hope that the same situation is not currently going on with one of Pittsburgh's most important players.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt warms up on the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA prior to a 2022 preseason game.
Team President and Owner Art Rooney II cannot be happy about what happened to Watt, as it will be looked at as a grave error by the franchise if the injury is serious. Florio mentioned that litigation is absolutely possible, depending on what truly happened to the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday.
"Litigation is, in theory, a possibility in this case, depending largely on the extent of the impairment and its impact on Watt’s ability to play," Florio noted.
Steelers Can't Catch A Break In 2025
Just when fans started to buy back into the prospects of the team in 2025, things have once again gone awry for Pittsburgh. More will be released about what happened with Watt, but after a huge AFC North win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, controversy and negative discussion were slowly starting to calm down in the Steel City. Now, depending on what truly happened with Watt, the organization could be preparing to face some sort of legal action from the future Hall of Famer.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Team President Art Rooney II roams the sidelines as the team warms up and gets ready to compete in a 2022 preseason matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Do you think the Steelers' training staff may have made some kind of mistake when it comes to Watt and his lung? Let us know in the comments below!
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